"He was standing in front of the store when one kid ran out and punched him first, then others joined in," Connellan said.

Daniels fell to the ground under the blows, then was kicked in the head repeatedly, police said.

Violent attacks by teenagers on complete strangers are not new. It's not known what the motivation was for Thursday's attack, Connellan said. Cooperating witnesses did not provide a motive and no suspects are in custody.